Newbie has a Suspension issue
09-25-2003, 01:07 PM
#1
Staging Lane
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Newbie has a Suspension issue Ok so Im driving along, and I hit a bump, the rear pass. side suspension thunks, but none of the other corners do it. I have been under the car, there isnt anything stupid like a wrench stuck in there, and everything is tight that I can find. Its really annoying. The car doesnt handle any different but wow is that annoying, makes ppl think something is wrong with the car. 
09-25-2003, 02:13 PM
#2
Re: Newbie has a Suspension issue Have you changed ANYTHING on the car recently? Any aftermarket parts in the rear suspension?
Look to see if the exhaust is hitting the upper panhard bar.
My Borla settled after a while and began banging on the bar.
Look to see if the exhaust is hitting the upper panhard bar.
My Borla settled after a while and began banging on the bar.
09-26-2003, 11:44 AM
#7
Re: Newbie has a Suspension issue Tag...I'm it.
I'll suggest a couple things to try.
First, jack up the vehicle (don't just leave it on a jack, use ramps or jack stands, etc) and take a look at the suspension parts. Anywhere there is contact between parts usually will shows signs of that contact. Some places to check would be:
1. Where the exhaust is routed over the rear axle. It may be hitting a heat shield (the "tin" sheets that are above the exhaust), or the heat shield may have a bolt loose or missing and be allowing it to contact the exhaust or another part of the car.
2. Just behind the axle is the "Upper panhard rod". It has 3 bolts that hold it to the chassis on the drivers side of the car and a single bolt that runs through it on the passengers side. Make sure the exhaust is not hitting the top of this bar. Also, I once bent an upper panhard rod, it kinked where the exhaust runs over it. The extra bend allowed the lower panhard rod (that runs right under it) to hit the upper rod over sharp bumps (it put a slight bend in the lower phb from the impacts).
3.Grab the Exhaust and give it a good "shake" (don't try to rip it off the car, but don't be afraid to rattle it pretty good) and see if it moves or is hitting anything.
4. Check the rear shock mounts (upper and lower). The upper mounts can be found under a perforated section of carpet behind the rear seat. Make sure the bolts are tight. Make sure the shock is bolted tightly to the axle and while you are under there, verify that there is no oil running down the shock body. A leaking shock should be replaced, it can also have signifigantly reduced damping ability allowing "uncontrolled" suspension motion (I lowered my car and has a slight noise like yours, I stiffened my Koni shocks up while tuning the handling and the noise quit).
Those should get you started...
Let us know what you find, or if you have more questions, post them. That's why we're here...
I'll suggest a couple things to try.
First, jack up the vehicle (don't just leave it on a jack, use ramps or jack stands, etc) and take a look at the suspension parts. Anywhere there is contact between parts usually will shows signs of that contact. Some places to check would be:
1. Where the exhaust is routed over the rear axle. It may be hitting a heat shield (the "tin" sheets that are above the exhaust), or the heat shield may have a bolt loose or missing and be allowing it to contact the exhaust or another part of the car.
2. Just behind the axle is the "Upper panhard rod". It has 3 bolts that hold it to the chassis on the drivers side of the car and a single bolt that runs through it on the passengers side. Make sure the exhaust is not hitting the top of this bar. Also, I once bent an upper panhard rod, it kinked where the exhaust runs over it. The extra bend allowed the lower panhard rod (that runs right under it) to hit the upper rod over sharp bumps (it put a slight bend in the lower phb from the impacts).
3.Grab the Exhaust and give it a good "shake" (don't try to rip it off the car, but don't be afraid to rattle it pretty good) and see if it moves or is hitting anything.
4. Check the rear shock mounts (upper and lower). The upper mounts can be found under a perforated section of carpet behind the rear seat. Make sure the bolts are tight. Make sure the shock is bolted tightly to the axle and while you are under there, verify that there is no oil running down the shock body. A leaking shock should be replaced, it can also have signifigantly reduced damping ability allowing "uncontrolled" suspension motion (I lowered my car and has a slight noise like yours, I stiffened my Koni shocks up while tuning the handling and the noise quit).
Those should get you started...
Let us know what you find, or if you have more questions, post them. That's why we're here...
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09-26-2003, 12:01 PM
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Staging Lane
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Re: Newbie has a Suspension issue Wow you guys are awsome, thanks Im about to head out of town but I threw the jack stands inthe car with the jack. I will work on it tomorrow morning at my g/f's house or use the lift at the local chevy dealer, one of the techs owe's me a favor. Thanks for all the help i will try to post something about it on sat. afternoon. Thanks again, wish you were close id buy ya a beer
Jason
Jason
09-26-2003, 01:17 PM
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Re: Newbie has a Suspension issue Another thing to consider (although I'd take the basic steps first since its a bit of a PITA) is to support the rear subframe on jackstands and then remove your rear coil springs. With the coil springs out you can place a floor jack under the pumpkin and jack up the axle until it bottoms out. This should help you find any contact that may be happening while the suspension moves through its travel.
09-29-2003, 02:42 PM
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Re: Newbie has a Suspension issue Well it is kicking my *** i cant find it anywhere, so Im taking her to the dealer for the work since she is still in the 3/36000, It bugs me because I hate taking her to the dealer 
10-01-2003, 01:06 PM
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Re: Newbie has a Suspension issue hey guys I want to say thanks for the help, apperently it was the Lower Control arm, it was loose so they tightened it, and also tightened the fronts.